[Bluevein River] A Hummingbirds Heartbeat (Azurk)

by **Lavia** on May 23rd, 2011, 7:50 pm

She was holding out the worm in Azurks direction, waiting for him to take it from her hold. He reached in with ease and care, his fingers grabbing a hold of the diminutive earth worm, taking it from her fingers. It slipped away so easily from her grasp, obvious that the Kelvic refused to hold on to the helpless insect too tightly. Lavia, in all ways, acted delicately. She watched it tumble in to Azurk's palm, -how much smaller it looked as it writhed back and forth in his hand, her eyes not being able to pull apart from it. She felt the smallest bit of sympathy for the insect, watching as it continued to squirm, until Azurk reached for the hook. Lavia turned away, not having much interest to watch any further. Even as simple of a creature as Lavia is, her emotions have always been much more amplified than assumed. She was sensitive, to even the smallest of matters.

Her attention was taken back to the abandoned javelin, as she reached down to retrieve it, holding it by its thin body. She peered down to the river, watching for the slightest bit of movement. Today, the water was not as steady which made it hard to distinguish its movements from swimming life to the push of the wind. Her concentration was broken with Azurk's deep tone.

"The wise hunter know that land give to worm, and worm give to land. We also give, someday, in time. If we respect, we can be respected." He shrugged. "I have been told this by wise men; Akalak and other."

Lavia was instantly comforted with this saying, realizing that Azurk had too pondered the use of the worms life, even if only for a moment, to be used for their own benefit. It was possible that to him, it was not just simple bait but something taken and stolen away. Lavia felt this way, and because of that feeling she felt obligated to give back to the earth, in any opportunity presented to her. It has always been the little things as this, that have made her extremely humble. Azurk moved upriver, to hopefully in some way increase their chances of catching their afternoon meal. Lavia watched him from the distance, giving an encouraging smile and nod before turning back to the water. Azurk would only have to play a game of patience. Hold on the fishing rod, wait and observe even the slightest bit of tugging. Lavia on the other hand, was going to have to be more attentive and timely than usual, if she wanted to have any luck herself. Her grip around the javelin was tight, as she spun it only briefly to bring the pointed tip outwards, holding it above the water. She eased in slowly, her toes suddenly becoming tickled with the pleasant feel of the water against her flesh. Slowly, she was ankle deep in the water, and eventually, about half leg in. It was as far as she could possibly go, for the water caved downwards just before reaching the middle. The River was clear enough to be able to spot a fish if one was to swim by, but she began to think she might not have as much luck as she hoped. Lavia waited, watching closely.

Moments passed and it felt as if she had been watching without success for hours. She was turning around to get out of the River, until she noticed the tail of a moving fish just near the rocks that were situated where the earth and water meet. She was quiet and very slow in movement, her arm raising upwards and extending back, to be able to give the javelin enough force to spear it. It had to be a Snook. She knew no other fish to hide behind rocks and shaded area. Lavia gripped the javelin, and once she felt confident enough, she let it hit the water with all the strength and swiftness she could convene. It seemed to not have been quick enough, for when the tip of the javelin met the water, the fish already made its way around the rock, leaving Lavia with a disappointed grimace. She pulled the javelin out of the water, her eyes peering over the rock. It must be on the other side. Her legs pulled through the water, bringing her to the other side where she quietly waited for the Snook.

by **Azurk** on May 24th, 2011, 4:01 am

The line was in the River, bobbing gently with the run of the water as it flooded over rock and dirt. The Bluevein looked marvelously cool and refreshing as it washed its way through the otherwise parched plains. The liquid itself came from parts Azurk did not know, and likely carried the secrets of all its benefactors, perhaps among some distant mountains and lakes. And here, at Riverfall, the stretched, lengthy River met the sea, its end, in a beautiful, tumbling cascade off of several tiers of a cliff. There were timeless whispers in the water, bearing down in an infinite cycle from source to river to ocean to rain. All of it flushing by them in mere seconds.

He stood a while in this ponderence, holding the fishing pole. He was excited for a while, and anxious about what to do if he should get a bite. Although he was patient, the art of fishing was a patient one also, and as he saw Lavia begin to get a little restless downriver, he decided to sit down. This could take time, if it ever gets done. He was fortunate to have a small boulder right next to his spot, so he lowered himself onto it. The seat was not the most comfortable, as it was rather below his height and required his knees to be higher than his waist, and as well as this it was hard and rigid, as one would expect a rock to be. Regardless, he supposed it was preferable to a spot in the mud or remaining on his feet. He placed the fishing rod upright against his natural chair.

Lavia had apparently found her target, and she jabbed at the water, splashing about and coming up empty-handed. Azurk admired her unsuccessful work and subsequently felt more forgiving of his own deficiency in this particular task.

He brought his attention back to his fishing utensil and observed its absolute stillness. He breathed in deeply, placing his hands on his thighs and rubbing his legs through his breeches. The water rolled through the landscape and above its constant rumbling one could discern an overlaying trickle. The trickling sound was simply hypnotyzing, enough to send a tingle through the bloodstream and render the body and mind more calmed and sensitive. Azurk began to close his eyes.

The warmth of the sun, though, started to bother him, and he desired a drink from the magical River itself. He strayed from his post and bent over on the bank, cupping a small, transparent pool of sensational water into his hands. He sipped from this makeshift goblet, and then tossed the rest over his face, returning his hands to the River for more, and then tossing that across his shoulders and ears.

As he came back up to his feet, the fishing rod jolted and fell, and Azurk sprang into aciton. He leapt for the pole, but the pebbles on the riverbank were slippery, and so his foot glided and he collapsed into the water.

"Bah!" With some sensibility knocked into him, he got to his feet slowly this time, and approached the fishing rod with similar caution. He picked it up and reeled it in, and to his dismay there was a small, unimpressive fish clenched onto the hook. Azurk sighed and shook his head.

"You see what I do for this?" He looked at Lavia and laughed.

by **Lavia** on May 26th, 2011, 7:31 am

Lavia studied the rock, waiting for even the smallest glimpse of the fish, but for minutes upon minutes there was nothing. She continued to hold a firm grip on to the javelin, her arm still bent and holding it up, the tip pointed toward the surface of the water. Her movements were apoplectic, her breathing aquiver. This Snook was very precarious, and he must had held some knowledge. Of course, it had to have been aware of the Kelvics intentions, for it went in to hiding and did not attempt to make itself seen for quite some time. She was on the brink of giving up, until she spotted the tail of the fish peeking from the crack of the two rocks. Her eyes lit up with excitement, as the small bit of hope she had left blossomed and took over. She remained still and waited, and just as the fish began to make its escape back into the Rivers flow, Lavia's ear picked up the shouting from Azurks direction just as her javelin hit the water. The fish escaped and Lavia was left empty handed, once more.

With a disappointed sigh she turned around, taking the javelin out of the water and placing it along her shoulder, holding the dull end with her right hand. She watched with wide eyes as Azurk rose slowly to his feet from an obvious fall she must have only missed by a few moments. He made his way much more cautiously to the fishing pole, and Lavia let her feet carry her through the river, the gentle swooshing of her own legs parting the water heard. He began to reel in what he had caught, and to her surprise it was a small fish, just a bit bigger than her own palm and as he held it up by the line, she watched the lifeless amphibian dangle.

"You see what I do for this?" He looked at Lavia and laughed.

For only a second, she watched the Akalak laugh. She was surprised, since she never heard such a cheerful tone from him. He laughed. She shared the short moment of laughter. The tips of her fingers began to graze her forehead, as her head shook lightly from his own humorous disappointment. She bent to set the javelin just near the boulder where Azurk had first been sitting, and reached up to the hook to pull the fish gently off.

"It is better than simply nothing, and great for your first attempt at fishing." she said looking up with a smile, her sight shifting once the small fish was loosened from its trap. She held the fish in her hand, his limp body being cradled by her palm, not holding on too tightly since it would only slip through her hold, "-and next time, slow and steady." her eyes returned to his, after looking away from his dampened and wet clothing, another laugh passing through her lips, "Come, I have more food in the tent."

She used her free hand to remove the crown of flowers from the top of her head, aimlessly throwing it in to the River. Where it would carry, she wasn't sure. But what Azurk had said just a while earlier, had stuck with her at that moment of holding on to the inanimate fish. The Kelvic had nothing to give, but pure gratitude. For all things wondrous and beautiful.

She left her javelin behind, no longer needing it, and turned to walk back towards her tent as she continued to let her sight be taken in by the fish resting in her hand. She neared the tent, and looked down to the small pit just near the entrance. The fire she had started just the night before, was already dying down.

"I did not expect you here. If I would have known, I would have already had something prepared."

She continued on inside of the tent, waiting for Azurk to follow behind. It was typical sized tent, that was large enough to give space for the both of them to freely move around. Of course, the common Akalak would most likely have to duck around just a bit. Even though it was a simple resting place, the inside was a burst of color. A refreshing and sometimes startling sight compared to its tattered outside appearance. Fabrics of all shades were draped through the holding poles, rocks and stones of different shades were scattered just in the middle of the floor, her small bedroll was to the right and the rest of the tent held nothing but space. She had no furniture and never really took interest in it since she had no cabin and spent most seasons traveling. It was obvious, this woman lived a simple life without the desire of many materialistic things.

She walked to the back corner of her tent and reached for a small eating dish and cutting knife. She placed the fish inside with care, and brought it to the center of the tent, where she set it down near the pile of rocks she had been intrigued with just this morning.

"Do you like apricots? I have plenty!" she said, enthusiastically after setting the bowl and knife down, walking back swiftly to the back of the tent and retrieving the large bowl of fruits.

She knelt down on to her knees, set the bowl near the other items, and reached in for the largest apricot she could spot. She held it up slowly in to Azurks direction, her eyes studying his expression, "They are delicious. You'd be surprised what fruits grow in Spring, and can actually be found around these parts." she paused for a moment, letting her eyes remain on his own. She frowned, disappointed in her own self. She was not the best hostess of even her own abode, "I am sorry, I just do not get many visitors."

Her voice was filled with innocence and sincerity, and as her voice trailed off in to the still air, her head lowered as her fingertips continued to grip on to the fruit, her arm not having the desire to lower itself until he was to take the fruit. His presence was amiable, giving Lavia the desire to do as much as she could to satisfy the Akalak. He was company she had never had the joy of having, and company she was eager to keep.

by **Azurk** on May 27th, 2011, 9:36 pm

Azurk was thankful that Lavia had taken his joking well. She clearly had no major issue with him being unable to catch a sufficient fish. That she had more food in her tent indicated to him that the fishing was an activity meant for enjoyment, not for actually harvesting food. She beckoned to him to follow, but before they moved on to the tent, Lavia spared a moment to remove her pretty floral crown and surrender it to the River. She watched it only briefly, then walked away, but Azurk came after her and lingered a moment to see the petals soaked and carried away by the vein of the world.

He rested the fishing rod on the ground by the javelin, and whilst he was bent down he ventured to splash some of the River water over his face. His back and arm stung from his fall. When he felt enough refreshed by the water, he continued up to Lavia's camp, where the failing embers of the prior night's fire still clinged to life. Lavia apologized for her unpreparedness, but Azurk had not planned on receiving anything during the visit; he had only made the trip to see the Kelvic who had empowered him over Kalik.

She was in the tent, and he after her. The shelter was a fair size, and Azurk had to duck low through the entrance, but inside everything was comfortable. The place was well decorated, with a flashing array of colors about the two of them. Azurk marveled at the artistry while Lavia retrieved her plate and cutlery, setting them and the fish down on an assortment of small rocks. Azurk pondered the stones and recalled Lavia's interest in his makeshift shrine when they first met. But he imagined that these rocks had nothing to do with that.

She was soon off again, now finding a bowl of apricots to offer him. He smiled as she came excitedly back, extending a large fruit in his direction, and he was about to take it when she seemed to scold herself for improper behavior. Azurk listened and watched her, raising his eyebrows minutely, and then reaching out for the apricot.

"I like apricot," he said, taking the fruit. He knelt down and was much closer to her in doing so. He adjusted himself and settled in. "It is good to see you again, Lavia. It is good for me." He bit into the apricot and the fluids inside it rushed into his mouth and he savored the delicate taste and texture. He went on, but spoke now in Tukant. "I have been asleep for over a year. I try to remember it and all I can see are fragments, and I do not understand them. So it has been a dream and it's lost to me." He was looking at the floor now, and he scratched the back of his head with his free hand.

He raised his gaze to Lavia again.

"Maybe now I am awake." He ate more of his fruit.

by **Lavia** on May 27th, 2011, 11:34 pm

The fruit was no longer in her grasp, the soft grazing of its skin leaving her fingertips as Azurk took it by his hand, and lifted it towards his mouth. Lavia watched, as it brought her a great deal of pleasure for his acceptance of such small gift. She smiled, and before he took his first bite he spoke. She felt the blood flowing through her cheeks, though the Kelvic's complexion was much too bronzed to show a hint or shade of red. She could feel the candor of his words through his tone, and she returned her eyes to his as he continued on.

"I have been asleep for over a year. I try to remember it and all I can see are .., and I do not understand them. So it has been a dream and it's lost to me."

What was it that he wanted to remember? What was it that was so lost? Lavia could only wonder without questioning, letting the Akalak say all he wanted to say for that moment. And while her mind began to ponder his words, she could only assume he was referring to his darker half. His brother. Kalik. The ways and the structure of life for an Akalak were still very new to her, even as long as she has made home here in Riverfall. She engaged in conversations with them, but Azurk was the first Akalak, the first Cerulean, she ever attempted to get to know; to understand. What is so simple to the next person, is extremely hard for a Kelvic to fully grasp. But Lavia would not let her 'simple minded nature' be a reason she did not at least try to apprehend the most difficult of concepts. She had a longing for enlightenment. The young Kelvics mind simply never sleeps.

"Maybe now I am awake."

Lavias long and fixated stare was shifted, turning down to the small bowl that held the fish and the cutting knife. She grabbed the two with both hands, and began to as gently as she could, cut away the head of the fish and begin to gently and carefully skin it. She had skinned fish before, but much larger, so in the case of this smaller fish, she tried as best as she could to only remove the thin layer of skin, to spare the meat.

"You have to allow your heart to be stronger than your mind. The past your try to remember, leave it behind."

She turned the fish over, beginning to skin the other side as gently as the last, though taking a short moment to look back up to Azurk, before continuing on.

"It is his past, not your own. You are much different than him, -stronger. But that is something you fail to realize. Until you understand that, you will never win. For all you know, this moment, right now in your own skin and spirit, where you have always wanted to be could only be temporary, if you continue to submit to his desires."

Her hands continued to move gently along the fish, the blade digging painstakingly under the skin. She began to pull it with the tips of her fingers once it neared the tail, removing it to expose the flesh of the fish. It was certainly not enough to feed such a large being as Azurk, but to him she would still give it. It was his catch, and his prize. She set the blade near the side of the bowl once she was finished, and reached for her waterskin of water she filled just this morning. With ease, she began to pour the water in the palm of her left hand, cupping it and then setting the waterskin down. She rubbed her hands together, removing the bits of fish remnants off of her hands, and then drying them on the plum colored wrap covering her waist.

"-and if you are only awake for today, let us enjoy that." she said lowly, as if only whispering the thought to herself. The honey colored eyes filled with high spirits, as she reached for the large bowl of apricots to grab one for herself, holding it to her mouth and taking a satisfying bite. Chewing, she looked up to Azurk and nodded her head, beginning to unfold her legs from under her, allowing her knees to rest from supporting her weight, and now folding them.

"Tell me, do you travel? You must, you say you are a warrior? Did I say that right?" she paused, leaning in much closer to Azurk, her wide eyes beaming with curiosity, her inquiring mind reflected through their gold mirrors, "You must not have spent all your days in that Outpost."

She smiled, lifting the fruit for another bite. Heavenly.

by **Azurk** on June 3rd, 2011, 11:10 pm

Azurk went on with his eating, and he thought that perhaps Lavia would have nothing to see, but she braved the silence and did indeed offer him words of advice. Though he was uncertain what a young Kelvic could provide in the way of wisdom (as highly as he respected her, the Akalak society did not trust the Kelvic to be more than naive pets), he did hear her out, for regardless of her race, she had been more capable than any Akalak at influencing his moribund attitude in these recent days. He refrained from consuming his apricot while she spoke, granting her his entire focus.

She told him to forget. He was silent but he nodded, and he was unsure what he needed to forget. Maybe everything. And in hypothesis, forgetting was simple, but the mind would not so easily surrender its memories, for they were a dear treasure, however painful. He pondered her words, imploring him to have greater faith in his heart than his mind. With his heart he associated joy and courage, with his mind depth and complexity. He wondered but nothing was resolved.

At least he was with a friend. She had said enough to prove as much--she spared consideration for his state and that was more than most would do.

She believed in his strength. She believed in Azurk such that she thought his power greater than Kalik's. Certainly, should Azurk not resist, Kalik would come back, and there would be no change with all the passings of the seasons, and for years to come Kalik would be at the lead, and maybe someday Azurk would simply diminish and be gone without hope of return. Resistance was clearly the only method for change, but Kalik could already have acquired too much power for Azurk to ever be able to succeed.

Lavia's confidence made Azurk bow his head, for he knew he did not deserve it. Yet, she supported him, and that was magical, for the Elder Council and Riverfall had abandoned him after the branding, deeming him to forever be lost to instability. Even Wysar might have deserted him. And Azurk had resigned hope in himself, so why should anyone accept him?

She did.

Lavia shifted and Azurk thought of her beauty, for he greatly appreciated her. She changed the subject and he followed her out of the heavy topics. He bit more from his apricot and finished it, but it did not taste so nice as it had at the start.

"I was a warrior," Azurk supposed. "I was trained as warrior. But now I have no mentor, and Kalik, he does the training in these days." He traced an indiscernable figure on the back of his hand. "I have not traveled outside of Cyphrus. But to Endrykas I have been, and about the Sea of Grass on many missions. Thee years ago I lived in Riverfall, but Cerulean they have called me and so no I live in Takula Outpost." He looked up at Lavia. "This tent, and all your things... You travel by season, yes? Where have you been?"

He had the strangest sensation of discomfort, for he normally felt somewhat nervous talking to other people, particularly non-Akalak, but with Lavia he did not feel so nervous; and he noticed the non-nervousness and it was precisely due to this that he felt uncomfortable. He awkwardly raised his hand and slowly rubbed the back of his head.

by **Lavia** on June 5th, 2011, 5:49 am

Her chewing was silent, unlike any other time where the Kelvic would express her animal like nature, thrusting food in to her mouth as if she hadn't eaten in days. It was a way of eating that she had never been ashamed of, since after all there were not too many people ever around to watch her eat. But with Azurk here, she felt the need to be much more civilized. Never before did she care much about what another perceived about her character, until crossing his path a second time. Azurk's presence gave her an urge to be much more mannerly and debonair. It was something she felt worth trying.

When Azurk spoke, her ears directed their attention, as well as her eyes. The tone of his voice rumbled throughout the tent, though it was very appeasing at the same time. For a man to be so large in stature, she had never knew such gentleness to show behind colorless eyes. His eyes.. She looked much closer, his words slowly starting to recede, the subconcious part of her mind only being able to acknowledge them. She looked as closely as she could, each moment he allowed here. There were times he shifted his own gaze away from her, but it was drawn right back. Lavia's eyes never moved, and she began to wonder just what stories this Akalak has written.

With a question asked, Lavia shifted her thoughts quickly and went to focus back on to the conversation. She took one last bite of her apricot and set the remaining fraction near the bowl of skinned fish. She looked around once he mentioned her tent, and smiled widely, bringing her eyes back to his and with a nod she spoke.

"Yes, I do travel, and how I do wish I could take all these things with me.." she said, shrugging her shoulders, "-but then again a Kelvic does best without worldly possessions. With a lost horse and a desire to touch every place imaginable, it's quite hard to carry around so much, so I visit Godiva's Refuge every end of Spring. They allow me to keep my things there, until I can return for them. I first discovered that place many, many seasons ago. It was nearing the end of Winter and I was just a lonely bird without direction." her smile began to fade, but there was still something sparking in her eyes that hinted she was indeed not saddened by the memory, "I was tired of traveling, especially not knowing where I was. I was directed to Godiva's Refuge and with such warm arms, they took me in as they do any woman. Interesting place it was.. filled with books I could not read, but that did not ever stop me from trying. That place is one of the reasons I picked up your language. I stayed for only a few weeks, but I just couldn't adjust myself to live behind walls again. They urged me to stay, in hopes to build a life for myself in Riverfall but.. I wanted so much more."

She turned her eyes away from Azurk, her teeth beginning to sink in to her lower lip as if forcing back more words. She had felt she was going on and on way too much about her own personal life, and decided to leave that story unfinished.

"-but, to make such a long story short, I revisit every beginning and end of Spring to collect and then leave my things once I arrive here, and when I am ready to leave. As for where I have been.."

Her smile reappeared, her heart fluttering at the reminiscing thought of the many places her eyes have seen and her feet have touched. She reached slowly for his hand, which was free of the fruit, and brought it towards her. She turned it over, exposing his large palm and with her finger, began to trace a map in her mind.

"I started life in Ravok, but didn't live until I reached Syliras. The Cobalt Mountains, oh Azurk you must see! I never knew ones eyes were able to witness so many miraculous colors of lights. Brighter than our very sun. Then there were stops to Zeltiva and Sunberth -and here," she said, her finger tracing upwards until it reached its stop, "The Spires and Avanthal, I spent a Winter there. I do wish to travel to its neighbor region, Kaela. Possibly Fall, if time allows me. -and here," she traced her finger back down, "-just to the south of Cyphrus, Eyktol. I have been there in the summer and its heat isn't as bad as they say."

She chuckled softly, her finger moving away from his palm and her eyes drawing back up to his, as she let go of his hand and brought her own back to her lap, "I am fortunate enough to see many parts of Mizahar. Though, traveling alone can be tiresome. I used to try and convince myself I was traveling in hopes to take advantage of my freedom but.. lately I truly believe it is the desire within me to find a bondmate that pushes me to explore as much as possible."

She grew quiet, her words coming to an end and her mind once again beginning to wander. Most Kelvics never take long to find someone to bond with, and just like Lavia, they are completely dedicated to fulfilling that desire. Kelvics usually, and almost never stay close with their immediate family, therefore have an itching need to love and care for another. The leave very young, but matured, in search to find someone to serve. She knew her time would eventually come, and when it did she knew the hole she held within would be filled. Her compassion, she would be able to share with another. She kept her eyes on Azurk's, breaking the silence.

"I know you have not bonded with a Kelvic but.. do you have a family?"

by **Azurk** on June 28th, 2011, 10:45 am

The apricot was gone; Azurk set the seed that remained carefully onto the floor. His fingers were dampened by the remnant juices of the fruit, and though his digits were now slightly sticky, it did not bother Azurk. His mouth had been invigorated by the bursting taste, and the refreshment had been an excellent supplement to Lavia's descriptions of her vast travels. She looked a young and lovely woman, and since she was Kelvic, Azurk supposed she was even younger than she appeared, for the animal race was short-lived and quick to mature. Yet, for all her visual youth, she was better travelled than he. She knew the end of the grasslands that Azurk could only imagine to be boundless. She had seen where the emerald sea became a terrain unknown to he. Her lungs were connoisseurs of foreign airs, dry and humid, salty and sweet. Her skin was acquainted with the brush of plant and land that Azurk learned only through story. Her eyes might be most fortunate of all, for as she delicately explained, they had savored the bounty of colors shining through mountains and seasons.

For this slice of time, Azurk could envision the swirls and curves of Mizahar as Lavia drew them onto his palm. However, the trance was transitory, and Azurk woke from the color and life she had painted in brevity. He could hear her breathe. He was surely convinced that she was magical. And then she closed her story, sealing it for the now. Perhaps Azurk would uncover the rest of her tales later.

She transitioned to the matter of bondmates. If anything was characteristic of a Kelvic, it was the desire to partner with a master-like figure. Such was the reason for their low status in Riverfall. They were rather like intelligent pets, Azurk had been taught. Lavia, though, was fascinating, bright, and beautiful. To him, she undoubtedly had to be an especially sentient gem. After all, a simple animal could not have so profound an effect on his emotions, could it?

Lavia mentioned family. Azurk no longer had family, for it was not proper for a Cerulean to keep the family name, and although some of the Cult kept contact with their primary kin, Azurk had not been one of them. His shame had butchered him. Kalik wanted no family other than a son for himself to flaunt as a trophy.

"Only I am Azurk. My family name is forsaken. I was born to Akalak, but that is all there is to say of my family." He broke eye contact and lowered his sight to Lavia's knees. He felt the blunt weight of embarassment and dishonor. He supposed that she could know his father's name, even if they no longer associated with one another. "Riarik Avol. He was my father, before I was Cerulean. It does not matter now."

He looked into her eyes again, though his were now only thin slits between his eyelids. He was unable to shake the negative sentiment toward his history. He gulped and chose to ignore the sense of failure as best he could.

"Where do you come from, Lavia? Your life started in Ravok, and now you search to bond. How can you know with who you will bond?"

by **Lavia** on July 13th, 2011, 5:17 am

The moment was fragile and that could be acknowledged through the thick silence felt between the two as she brought up family. She was not entirely sure if she had unveiled a subject that was possibly sensitive and delicate to Azurk, but being who she was Lavia neglected to consider that some things Azurk might not have wanted to discuss openly. She had brought back her hands long ago and rested them on her knees as she watched Azurks expression intently, trying to read what he was immediately feeling without words. In her travels she did come across many people with different dialect, and when she could not understand them she developed a knack for reading their expressions and gestures. But with Azurk, it was much more difficult for he knew exactly how to ensconce his feelings and not expose them on the surface. Possibly, he did not want to feel vulnerable.

"Only I am Azurk. My family name is forsaken. I was born to Akalak, but that is all there is to say of my family." It was then he tore his eye from her and his gaze set elsewhere. Her mouth was slightly agaped, ready to attempt to pour out a river of apologies for even bringing it up, but her lips pursed tightly together once she heard him spoke again, "Riarik Avol. He was my father, before I was Cerulean. It does not matter now." -and when his eyes rose to hers, she felt completely guilty and blameworthy. She yearned to be intrusive, to dig a hole as deep as she could within him until he was completely empty of secrets and lost memories. There was something about this Akalak, this Cerulean, this creature, that stimulated and ignited a spark of curiosity that was burning brighter than ever before. For a reason she could not quite understand, she had an instant aspiration to become something like an easel. She wanted and desired for him to paint along a canvas all of his burdens, all of his wishes, all of his desires, every detail of his past, every regret and every dream. Surely, there had to be much much more to him than he was allowing her to touch.

She held back any further questions and accepted his invitation to a change of conversation. She could not argue, since the Kelvic did too enjoy a bit of attention. But it made her inquire if he was only asking more about her because he wanted to turn the tables and take the focus off of him, or if truly did want to know of the things he asked.

"Well.." she said, pausing as she lifted her body upright and let her weight fall on to her knees. She reached down to the bowl that was between them, and set it to her side as she manuvered her body towards his, closing the space between them. She rest her bottom back on to the heels of her feet as she sat in front of Azurk, close enough to hear his breathing, "Ravok is all I really know of my past. I do not remember ever having a mother or father. I was born in to slavery and though it might sound like a tragic situation to be in, I have to admit I am grateful." she nodded, assuring herself of her own words, "-and as for bonding, I am sure you have knowledge about it. I have been on a search for a bondmate as of recently. I suppose I never cared much for it in the beginning, but instead took advantage of the freedom I was given. I traveled, experienced many things a long the way. But this past season.." she lowered her eyes, but did not keep them away from his for long, and they slowly rose back up to his, "-there has been this burning desire to love."

Her last words seemed to roll right off of her tongue, and there was much more emotion behind them than she had ever expressed. She was once told she was not able to love and would never have the blessing of knowing what love truly was. But little did he know, love was not something taught or conditioned, it was something discovered and felt. Her head was slightly lowered but her eyes were kept on his as she looked upward, the slant of their holding becoming more defined. Her flesh began to warm as the mere mention of love brought a sensation of comfort and pleasure. Her own words causing every inch of her body to become engulfed in bliss. Slowly, she reached for his right hand, taking it in to hers. She ignored how his flesh seemed to slick and pull at hers due to the fruit that was consumed, and without a shift of discomfort she brought the palm of his hand to her chest. His hand was rather heavy since she was significantly larger than she, but she held it there for a moment until she was sure that if she was to remove her hand, he would leave it there.

She remained silent, and her eyes did nothing more than display she did not want him to speak. After a moment she rose her right hand as well, and with her finger tips she carefully let them find their ways to the center of his cloak, parting it with graceful movement. Exposing only the slightest glimpse of his chest, she rested her palm there and with his breathing, her hand mirrored its movements of inhaling and exhaling. She let the silence linger, and she let her gaze fall from his eyes and to where her hand was placed. Underneath her palm, underneath his flesh she could feel the thumping of his heart.

"Close your eyes." she said in a whisper as watched him and awaited for him to as she asked, "You ask how can a Kelvic know with who to bond." she smiled, closing her eyes, "I would not know but I imagine it would be as this. I do not think one can judge on appearance or even base it off of conversation. I believe it is much deeper than that. To bond with another is nothing taken lightly. It is giving up your very self to be the shadow of another, but not just a perched pet on his or her shoulder but -a guardian, a protector, a friend. To love stronger than you can have ever imagined possible. What better way to choose, than to find someone whose heartbeat matches the rhythm of your own."

She opened her eyes, and she removed her palm from his chest, letting her fingers intentionally linger much longer before pulling her hand completely away and letting it fall to her side. She watched his closed eyes, and continued to feel her own heart beat under his hand.

by **Paragon** on December 19th, 2011, 12:03 am

Lavia :

Azurk :

What a shame this was cut short, a wonderful thread from two very accomplished writers. Great work - if you have ANY questions or concerns about this grading, don't hesitate to PM me.